Defeat to Norwich at Old Trafford was the latest set-back for the Dutchman as assistant Ryan Giggs, former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and possibly, Pep Guardiola, wait in the wings.

Only two weeks ago, United’s stance was that they were happy with Van Gaal’s leadership.

But after a run of six games without a win, during which they’ve been dumped out of the Champions League and slipped out of the top four, that has almost certainly changed.

The question now for executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and the Glazers is what do they do? Here’s a look at five scenarios that could play out at Old Trafford.

Make a change now

It’s been a nightmare month for Van Gaal. The 2-1 win at Watford on November 21 sent United top of the league but they haven’t won since. If Woodward and the Glazers feel it’s more than just a worrying blip then he’s got cause to make a change now.

The players will also come into his decision. If he doesn’t think Van Gaal has the total support of the dressing room then there’s no point keeping him in the job. Giggs or Mourinho could both step in immediately.

The one/two games scenario

Woodward might want to make sure there’s no hope of a revival under Van Gaal before making what is a big decision.

Wins over Stoke and Chelsea could convince him there’s still a chance of seeing progression under the Dutchman this season. But two more poor results would likely be enough proof that there’s no hope.

If Van Gaal does go after Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford on December 28, it would give the club the chance to back his successor in the January transfer window.

Draw the line at Champions League qualification

David Moyes looked for a long time like a dead man walking. But it wasn’t until defeat to Everton at Goodison Park in April that he was given the boot.

It was the game that made qualification for the Champions League mathematically impossible. And it’s possible Woodward might use the same benchmark this time.

United are on a dreadful run but they have only just dropped out of the top four and they should fancy their chances of qualifying for the Champions League from here. But only if the players are still behind Van Gaal.

Wait until the end of the season

It can be hard for a chief executive to see past the panic that a terrible run - coupled with the surprise availability of a top manager - can create.

Woodward and the Glazers could wait until the end of the season before making a decision. But that only works if they feel Van Gaal has the full support of the players. It also runs the risk of leaving Giggs as the only alternative and there’s no way of knowing, at this stage, whether he’s a good manager or not.

The Giggs problem

Van Gaal seems convinced Giggs will be the next United manager. But that will be based on him leaving in 2017.

If the long-term plan is to appoint Giggs then Woodward might want to give Van Gaal as long as possible to avoid throwing the Welshman in at the deep end before he’s ready. It’s a risk, because there’s no guarantee things will pick up under Van Gaal and it would mean missing out on Mourinho or Guardiola, writes the Manchester Evening News .